Private equity firm Inflexion has agreed to sell its investment in Lintbells to Vetnique Labs, backed by Gryphon Investors.
Hertfordshire-based Lintbells was founded in 2006 by Dr John Howie and John Davies, to provide pets and their owners with scientifically-supported supplements to support chronic health conditions. Lintbells’ products are sold under the YuMove brand umbrella, encompassing supplements to improve joint mobility for dogs and cats, as well as others to support digestion, anxiety, skin and coat and dental health.
Since its initial investment in 2017, Inflexion has supported Lintbells across a range of growth opportunities, including the expansion of its direct-to-consumer channel and expansion into the US, both organically and through the acquisition of Walkin’ Pets. The sale of the business has generated a x5.5 return on investment for Inflexion Enterprise Fund IV.
The investment period also facilitated the planned succession of co-founder Howie, with Fiona Hope brought in as chief commercial officer shortly after the Inflexion investment, before taking over as ceo in 2022.
Hope said: “Lintbells’ journey over the last few years has been one of high-quality growth. Inflexion’s backing and partnership enabled us not only to achieve our goals more quickly but to aspire to even greater ones. Their network was invaluable in expanding our digital capabilities and bringing our supplements to the US.”
Malcolm Coffin, partner and head of Inflexion’s Enterprise Fund, added: “Lintbells has achieved tremendous growth during our investment, and we are particularly proud to have supported their successful entry into the US market. We wish Fiona and the team all the very best for the continued growth of the business.”
